The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls)
Dealing with death is difficult. My uncle recently passed away unexpectedly, and my family struggled with his passing, especially my aunt (his wife) and cousins (his sons). However, my aunt was hopeful that she would be able to get through this. I believe that she has this perspective because our faith teaches us that death is not the end and that there is something greater for us after death. Today’s first reading tells us that “The souls of the just are in the hand of God” (Wisdom 3:1), and St. Paul in the second reading teaches us that “We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in the newness of life” (Romans 6:4).
I find that ritual is helpful for me to deal with death. For example, after my uncle died, as per Filipino tradition, my family and I prayed a novena for the repose of his soul and for his peace. Additionally, one of the Sisters I live with is part Mexican, so she set up our ofrenda (small altar) a couple of days ago as a part of Día de los Muertos, a Mexican celebration of All Saints and All Souls Day that originated with indigenous groups in Mexico and Central America. The ofrenda helps us remember our loved ones who have gone before us in death. We decorated it with images of our deceased family members, friends, and Marianist Sisters and Brothers. Other people who have ofrendas often also decorate them with the things and food that the deceased enjoyed in life, flowers, calaveras (sugar skulls), candy, rosaries, crosses, and much more. Last weekend, I was in San Antonio where there is a festival for Día de los Muertos. Around the downtown area, people set up ofrendas honoring loved ones who passed away.
In the wider Catholic Church, we have today’s feast day, the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed or All Souls Day, in which we commemorate our departed loved ones during Mass and/or other prayer services. These prayers, celebrations, and rituals help us understand that death is a part of life and that death is not the end but the beginning of a new life with God. We are also reminded that God is with us every step of the way as today's Responsorial Psalm says, “Though I walk in the valley of darkness, I fear no evil, for you are with me” (Psalm 23:4).
Therefore, today, let us pray for those who died and celebrate them. Let us also have the hope that Jesus Christ showed us through his death and resurrection, to not despair over death but to put our hope in what will come after.
—Sr. Emily Sandoval, FMI